KURUKSHETRA: Sikh preacher Baljit Singh Daduwal, who is chairperson of Dharam Prachar Committee of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), was made president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Azad in a religious congregation organised at Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin in Kurukshetra on Friday. SAD Azad was founded at a gathering of Sikhs at Gurdwara Guru Granthsar Dadu Sahib (managed by Daduwal) on the bhog ceremony of Daduwal’s mother in Sirsa district on November 28, with an aim to resolve Sikh issues and the upcoming HSGMC elections.
A gathering was held by SAD Azad at Kurukshetra, which was also attended by HSGMC president Bhupinder Singh Assandh, HSGMC senior vice president Sudarshan Singh Sehgal, office-bearers and members of state Sikh body.
On November 28, Daduwal had announced names of five HSGMC members including general secretary Sukhwinder Singh Mandebar, Umrao Singh Chhina Kaithal, Malkit Singh Panniwala Sirsa, Swaran Singh Bunga Tibbi Panchkula and Swaran Singh Ratia Fatehabad, and tasked them to tour Haryana to take opinion of people and decide the name of president of SAD Azad. Subsequently, Daduwal’s name was announced in Friday gathering at Kurukshetra Gurdwara.
Announcing the name of Daduwal as SAD Azad president, HSGMC general secretary Sukhwinder Singh Mandebar said read out a report signed by the five members.
“Shiromani Akali Dal Azad was founded in Panthic gatherings by Panth Khalsa on November 28, 2024, for resolution of the Sikh issues and elections of Gurdwara management. We five Sikhs were tasked as Panj Piaras (beloved ones) to take the opinion of Sangat (community), saints, Panthic personalities and announce the name of president in 15 days. We gathered the opinion by personally meeting many Sikh personalities, saints, Sangat and telephonically and on the basis of the same, we announce the name of Jathedar Baljit Singh Daduwal as president of Shiromani Akali Dal Azad," said Mandebar adding that they hope Daduwal would fulfill the responsibility with high spirit.
The five HSGMC members also announced to make a contribution of Rs 1 lakh each in the funds of SAD Azad.
HSGMC senior vice president Sudarshan Singh Sehgal said, “The event was organised by SAD Azad and HSGMC president Bhupinder Singh Assandh, office-bearers and members participated in the same. We also laid the foundation of the new office of HSGMC headquarters at Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin in Kurukshetra on this occasion.”